somebody else

I don’t care if I drive. I like my bike. And Brin lets me use her car.

Go shot for shot with me. It’s my main goal tonight.

You do look super fly on your bike. But I totes forgot about twin perks. Being an only child really only has cons, as I’m legit beginning to realise.

If I didn’t have to save money to bounce the fuck out of that house the second I turned 18, I’d ditch faster than  you could say ‘free Brin’. But you definitely need to come distract me, and speaking of distractions - I lined us up a couple of dates for Wednesday night. College boys, even. Granted, they’re previous Ashbourne graduates but, like. I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer. You, me, Bryan Kelly (yours) and Jacob Austen (mine) and Freddy’s Bar & Grill. Get pumped.

You’re talking my language. I’ll give you anything you want boo, just get me fucked up. 

You got it, Showgirl. But that sounds... definitely very distracting. I hope they’re picking us up in something that isn’t their mom’s Ford. You can take the boy out of Ashbourne...

Pretty sure my folks are amazed I volunteered to have a job in the first place. Little do they know, I only do it for the free popcorn and endless soda refills. I could always ask PJ if he’s got a spot for you. It’s the most boring job on Earth and you’d have plenty of time to do homework. 

Absolutely. I’m a boss ass bitch.

You’re really selling it to me. Not all of us can be human trashcans for soda & popcorn 😰  even if it sounds like you’re living the dream. Although if you got them to start selling cheap-ass wine then maybe we could talk.

Claudia: I figured haha.

Claudia: Or they simply enjoy life without it. Which...is possible. But they add something special.

Claudia: Thing? Well, Brinley is being protective of Braxton, but admittedly hasn't been forward with her reasoning...do you know something I don't?

Claudia: It's certainly something, Phoenix.

Phoenix: 💁

Phoenix: It's possible, but that's only half a life, my friend.

Phoenix: [UNSENT] Shit

Phoenix: I don't think it's my thing to tell 😥 I didn't say anything if Brin asks. I'm sure it's not related to you two falling out, though.

Phoenix: [UNSENT] Maybe idk.

wednesday night ; outside (+inside) the addams’ residence ; brinley roberts & phoenix addams.

it hadn’t exactly been a stellar double date. (stellar. ha ha, phoenix thinks darkly from the back seat.) 

phoenix had no idea where brinley even found these kinds of boys. it was very possibly the dumpster. maybe phoenix had been sheltered, having grown up with four boys for best friends who weren’t entirely gross and weird, but she was finding more and more that she just didn’t find any of them interesting. they were loud and obnoxious, and not even that cute once they’d opened their mouths. why brinley even bothered phoenix would never know. 

brinley’s fingers intwined with hers under the table had probably been the highlight of it, honestly, and that definitely wasn’t part of the double date concept. her new co-captain had been so vocal about ‘looking out for her’, so it was just part of it, but over greasy pizza and sticky-sweet shakes it had felt more like a date than the entire rest of the evening.

hell, brinley making out with some guy whose name phoenix had forgotten already against his car, outside of phoenix’s house, and she was thinking about how her mother would have a conniption if she looked out of the window at the wrong time and then phoenix would probably never be let out of oak avenue again, ever, and still brin’s eyes on her was more electric than everything else.

to be honest, brinley looking at her like that while she was clearly wrapped up in doing something else was - should she look away? should she be paying more attention to brady’s (honestly, brady) hand touching at her waist, fidgeting with the waistband of her skirt, pushing firmly to try and get her to face him? but brinley’s dark eyes were on her and phoenix could feel her cheeks flush from more than just the humid june air.

“phee, come on, just one? don’t wanna feel left out, right,” brady said, voice low and curling, body moving to try and bracket phoenix against the car door. she slid a little further towards the bonnet, expression as haughty and awkward as it had been the entire night.

flashback self-para, beginning of ninth grade. for challenge 002, brinley.

they’re always together in one way or another; in pairs or threes or fours, there’s a permanent collusion of the oak avenue octagon.

today’s cell is a quad: ironed pleated skirts, high ponytails swinging in rhythm as they make their way to practice, charlie’s letterman jacket draped over one of brinley’s shoulders. they’ve just made junior varsity. there’s something about the knowledge that makes them feel immortal, the way that fourteen year old girls do. 

stella seems to catch it the most, of course. she’s been effortlessly popular since before they started crawling, but even as fresh meat on the block she walks with a step that’s too confident for words or explanation. phoenix always walks just a half-step behind; she would know.

You’ll have to try harder to convince me, but I won’t rule it out. Get me super drunk and ask very nicely. 

Call me… Charlize. 

Damn, I only got eight bucks and no dirt. Not all of us can have part-time jobs because their mom isn’t 4000% convinced that they’ll flunk out if they spend too much time in wholesome small town business employment. The PR manager’s offer is still on the table, though. If that tickles your biscuit.

Claudia: Thank you, I really appreciate that. Although you would have to wear an outfit with a collar, probably.

Claudia: Uh, thank you, I suppose. As upstanding as one can be while regularly smoking what's considered an illegal substance and consuming alcohol underage and all that.

Claudia: Grossed out? But yes, we are a ride or die time of group.

Claudia: Hopefully for all of us - including you.

Phoenix: Oh, well, count me out. V-neck tanks or death, you know me, Claud.

Phoenix: Hey, that doesn't make you any less upstanding. TBH if someone doesn't do any of that you might think they've got a couple screws loose, so.

Phoenix: The Brin and Braxton thing? ... Did Brin tell you? Ugh, shit, burn that thought, nvm

And you didn’t invite me? Damn, I miss that trampoline. But I think you’re right, she’s probably not going to be kind about visitors.

She’s gotta have her reasons. You have to believe she does, right?

I didn’t realise you were so into backflips and wine coolers! Don’t worry, next time (which... is probably never I guess since the Ascott Spectre’s around but nbd) I’ll make sure you get an invite. I’ll put a dolphin sticker on it and everything. You’re very dolphin-y. 🐬

I tend to avoid looking at that house these days. Just creepy when you know what’s happened. I don’t know… I guess there’s probably no logic in her not saying everything she knew, but I wasn’t even expecting this, to be honest.

Yeah, I get you. It’s almost creepier in the daytime, right? Brin and I took some wine coolers and messed around on Stella’s old trampoline a couple nights ago, but I guess we can’t even really do that any more. Camille probably has laser vision.

Oh, I’ve decided I don’t have one.

Well you know what they say Phee. The blast is what you make of it. 

Probably the way to be. Still, sucks if you can’t drive any more(?). You’ll still be able to get to work, right?

Claudia: It was certainly tested, I will say.

Claudia: CRUEL! 😩

Claudia: Oh goodness gracious. The real question is, who is taking that off her hands?

Claudia: I don't mean to be a parent 😕 I don't know if it's just how I am since my mother and I used to alternate sometimes growing up - maybe they're irreversibly intertwined or something.

Claudia: What word would you use?

Claudia: I know - a lot of reflecting and self-realizations happening. Have yet to determine if it'll be ultimately good or bad, but I'm hoping for good.

Phoenix: If one day you snap, I'll back you up in court.

Phoenix: It's not really a bad thing! Your Gilmore Girls upbringing made you an upstanding member of society.

Phoenix: I don't even know. Fucked? It's... I don't know, somehow it's not even surprising & I don't totally get why. I feel like I should be grossed out, but I'm not. Ride or die Oak Ave.

challenge 002. brinley + phoenix

I had a pretty cozy one on, it’d probably be too hot to wear it now. We can get cool non-intricate masks cheap, probably.

There’s a ten wings for $5 thing going on at 7-11, I wouldn’t mind snatching that deal while we’re loitering.

You weren’t the guy in the Harambe costume, were you? ... Who was that guy, come to think of it? So lame.